HES List Server Message
August 16, 2018
Hello Holland Elementary Parents,
It’s been a wonderful summer so far, but at the MacClay household, we’re starting to rollback bedtimes in preparation for the start of the school year. Returning to an early wakeup isn’t easy, but I’ve found that my children are sending subtle hints that they’re looking forward to the start of school. Hopefully your children are eager for school to begin, and I’m sure that their enthusiasm will grow when they find out their teacher next Monday.
Below you'll a great deal of pertinent information regarding the our return to school. Please take a moment to review the items. Thanks.
Kindergarten Orientation
The Kindergarten Orientation will be on Thursday, August 30st at 12:00 for students in the AM program, and it will be at 1:30 for the children in the PM program.
There will not be a Back to School Night presentation scheduled for kindergarten, and this is a practice at other elementary schools in the district. Here is the rationale: It's necessary to provide a lot of information to parents of kindergarten students before the first day of school. In the past, parents have expressed that information during the kindergarten Back to School Night presentation was redundant and already communicated during the orientation. Further, these parents missed out on the opportunity to attend a presentation from another grade level.
However, if a family is away or a parent is working on the day of the orientation, it won't be a problem at all. Parents simply have to contact the teacher, and she'll work out a time to meet with the parents(s) to share information.
Open House
In addition, our Open House will be on Thursday, August 30th from 2:30-3:30. This is a great opportunity for your child to meet his/her teacher and see the new classroom. Parking will be extended to the back lot and recess areas, and a staff member will be outside to direct traffic and assist with parking. Due to the parking in the recess area, children will not be permitted to play in the recess yard during this activity.
Also, the staff and I ask that families visit only with their current teacher. The teachers want to make themselves available as much as possible to speak with new students and parents. I’m sure that the teachers would love to catch up with former students and parents, but this is a time for meeting with current teachers only. Thanks for your help!
Home Access Center (HAC)
Your child’s 2018-2019 class assignment will be made available for viewing on Monday, August 20th on the online Home Access Center (HAC). The school district is not mailing letters home with class assignments. Instead, we are using HAC to announce class assignments.
As you may recall from the letter I sent out this past spring, the construction of elementary classes and the assignment of teachers is a lengthy and complex process. The teachers and I spent many hours preparing class lists that are balanced and contain a mixture of abilities and behaviors that are as heterogeneous as possible.
Also, parents are encouraged to double check transportation information (pick-up and drop-off times) the day before school begins, as changes may occur during that window.
You can access HAC through a link on the left side of the school district or HES home page. If you encounter any issues with logging into your account, there are email links for support at the bottom of HAC webpage.
2018-2019 Attendance Letter - Immunization Requirement Changes
See the LINK for the district’s Attendance Letter. Please note that there are some significant changes to attendance laws that went into effect before the 2017-2018 school. These changes will continue for the 2018-2019 school year.
Be sure to review this LINK to learn about these revised laws. In short, a parent must have all immunizations completed for their child within the first five days of school. The previous eight-month period that parents were given is no longer in effect. Students without all immunizations completed within the first five days of school will not be permitted in school.
Announcements
Supply Lists
The link to supply lists can be found on the school’s home page under the "ABOUT HES" tab.
Please click on this LINK to learn more about Pennsylvania’s Free and Reduced Lunch Program. Applications will be distributed in hard copy to students during the first week of school and will be posted to our school website.
Chartwell’s Lunch Prices 2018-2019
The lunch prices for the 2018-2019 school year remain the same as last year – elementary lunch is $2.85. Also, milk remains priced at $0.55.
Please visit the Volunteer link regarding information on volunteer clearances.
Click on the following LINK to access the 2018-2019 calendar.
Chartwells
Click on the following link to access the monthly menu online: http://crsd.nutrislice.com/.
Upcoming Dates
- Monday, August 20th - HAC opens for classroom assignments
- Friday, August 24th – New Student Ice Cream Social – New Students in Grades First through Sixth (3:00 pm)
- Thursday, August 30th – Kindergarten Orientation – AMK at 12:00 and PMK (1:30 pm)
- Thursday, August 30th – Open House for Students in Grades First through Sixth (2:30 pm - 3:30 pm)
- Monday, September 3rd – Labor Day
- Tuesday, September 4th – First Day of School
- Wednesday, September 5th – Back to School Night – Grades First through Third (7:00 pm)
- Thursday, September 6th – Back to School Night – Grades Fourth through Sixth (7:00 pm)
- Friday, September 7th – PTO Back to School Social (6:30 pm)
E-Friday Folder
2018 Fire Safety Contest
District Immunization Letter 2018
District Attendance Letter to Parents 2018-2019
Comcast Flyer for Reduced Rate Internet
2018-2019 Free and Reduced Application Packet Packet
Girls on the Run Registration Information
The Holland staff and I are looking forward to a wonderful school year. The partnership between families and the school is so important in providing fantastic opportunities for the students to learn and grow. We know that there will be individual and group successes each day throughout the year, and we hope that we provide a safe and fun environment for your child to enjoy coming to school each day.
Best wishes for an enjoyable remainder of the summer with your children.
Joe MacClay
Principal
Holland Elementary School
597 Beverly Road
Holland, PA 18966
Email: jmacclay@crsd.org
Website: http://www.crsd.org/Domain/1212
Phone: 215-944-1500
Twitter: @HollandElem